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Table of Contents
- MINISTRY OVERVIEW
- Ministry Vision, Mission/Mandate, Key Priorities and Results
- Ministry Programs
- Forest Management
- Fish and Wildlife Management
- Lands and Waters Management
- Ontario Parks
- Aviation and Forest Fire Management
- Geographic Information
- Field Services Support
- Land and Resources Information and Information Technology (I&IT) Cluster
- Ministry Administration
- Table 1: Performance Measures and Achievements by Program
- Ministry Organization Chart
- Legislation
- Agencies, Boards and Commissions
- Ministry Vision, Mission/Mandate, Key Priorities and Results
- MINISTRY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- APPENDIX: 2008-09 ANNUAL REPORT
- WHO TO CALL
MINISTRY OVERVIEW
Ministry Vision, Mission and Mandate
The Ministry of Natural Resources is the steward of Ontario’s provincial parks, forests, fisheries, wildlife, mineral aggregates, petroleum resources and the Crown land and waters that make up 87 per cent of the province.
The ministry envisions a healthy environment that is naturally diverse and supports a high quality of life for the people of Ontario through sustainable development. The ministry’s mission is to manage our natural resources in an ecologically sustainable way to ensure that they are available for the enjoyment and use of future generations. The ministry is committed to conserving biodiversity and using natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Our Sustainable Future, the ministry’s strategic direction document, outlines the following as the ministry’s mandated activities.
Forest Management
- Provide leadership and oversight in the management of Ontario’s forests; Crown forest management planning and resource allocation; compliance monitoring, auditing and public reporting on Ontario’s forests. Champions for Ontario’s forest, forest products sector and forest-dependent communities.
Fish and Wildlife Management
- Provide leadership and oversight in the coordination of Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy, including management of Ontario’s fish and wildlife resources, species at risk and invasive species; Great Lakes management; fish culture and stocking; resource monitoring, assessment and allocation; research, food safety and wildlife disease control; enhancing fishing and hunting opportunities.
Lands and Waters Management
- Lead the management of Crown lands, water resources, mineral aggregates, and oil, gas, and salt resources. Includes supporting tourism and economic development, resource valuation and allocation, flood management, and low water/drought management. Promote renewable energy by making Crown land available, and implement the Safeguarding and Sustaining Ontario’s Water Act.
Ontario Parks
- Deliver Ontario’s Parks and Protected Areas program, including: protection and management of provincially significant natural, cultural, and recreational environments; provincial parks operations; provision of tourism opportunities, natural heritage education; planning and management of parks and protected areas; policy leadership on conservation reserves; monitoring, auditing, and public reporting on Ontario’s parks and protected areas.
Aviation and Forest Fire Management
- Provide leadership and program delivery for the protection of people, property and communities affected by forest fires, floods, and other natural resource emergencies. Includes planning and delivery of the ministry’s emergency management program and aviation services for the Ontario government.
Geographic Information
- Provide direction for the management of information assets to assist the ministry in meeting its business objectives. The Geographic Information program provides corporate leadership to the ministry in the development and application of geographic information for natural resource management and decision-making. It also provides basic land information and an infrastructure to improve the sharing of information for the Ontario government to realize the strategic value of its information investments.
Field Services Support
- Lead the provision of service delivery and operational implementation of natural resource management programs; provide direct client services to the public and resource-based industry sectors across Ontario; lead professional law enforcement of resource statutes; lead the ministry’s efforts for aboriginal involvement in resource management and decision-making.
Ministry Administration
- Lead land use planning; provide strategic management leadership and advice, legal counsel, policy development, communications and administrative services in support of business areas.
Key Priorities and Results
The ministry’s eight corporate priorities for 2009-10 are:
- Develop and implement a long-term plan for environmentally sustainable economic development while protecting the boreal region in the Far North
- Implement Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy
- Implement the new Endangered Species Act and program, including protection of caribou habitat in the boreal forest
- Contribute to Go Green Ontario, the government’s climate change action plan
- Support the efforts of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs in working with Aboriginal peoples and First Nations to develop a strategy and resource benefits sharing approaches
- Promote, market and enhance the protection of natural heritage in southern Ontario
- Deliver on the government’s green energy agenda
- Achieve organizational excellence through leadership renewal, diversity, a green and safe workplace, wellness, employee engagement and improved accountability
In pursuing these goals, the ministry contributes to the achievement of the government’s key commitments, priorities and results.
Meeting Government Commitments
The government is working towards a more prosperous Ontario and seeks to build a competitive business environment by promoting jobs and investment, reducing the regulatory burden on businesses, and offering modern, efficient public service. Through implementation of the Ontario Forest Sector Strategy, the ministry seeks to foster a competitive business environment by promoting jobs and investment in the resource sector. The ministry is promoting a new forest economy to help the sector develop and use green technologies, contribute to the mitigation of climate change, and improve environmental sustainability. This includes making under-utilized wood available for new investment and green jobs in the bio-economy. The ministry will support Open for Business, Ontario’s three-year program to create faster, smarter and streamlined government-to-business services and reduce the regulatory burden through a comprehensive modernization process.
The government is committed to a greener Ontario by protecting air, water, green space and wilderness, and protecting Ontarians from natural resource emergencies. In pursuing its goal of a healthy natural environment for Ontarians, the ministry is contributing to the government’s climate change strategy by planting 50 million trees in southern Ontario by 2020 and continuing polar bear research. The ministry is also putting Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy into action. The ministry is implementing the new Endangered Species Act, including protecting caribou habitat in the boreal forest. The ministry is coordinating, enhancing and marketing efforts to protect natural heritage lands in southern Ontario.
The ministry will support the Ministry of the Environment in protecting drinking water, and in implementing a Lake Simcoe protection plan that ensures the long-term health of the lake and its watershed ecosystem.
The ministry will promote and expand stewardship across Ontario. In addition, the ministry is continuing to increase opportunities for energy generation from wind, water, geothermal and bio-energy. To make Ontarians safer in their communities, the ministry protects people, property and communities from natural resource emergencies. The ministry works to make Ontarians safe from natural resource hazards, such as forest fires and floods. The ministry also works to control invasive species, rabies and wildlife diseases, clean up hazard lands such as mid-Canada radar sites, and rehabilitate abandoned oil and gas wells.
The government is committed to a stronger, more positive relationship with First Nations. The ministry will develop and implement a long-term plan that protects the boreal region in the Far North working closely with the ministries of Northern Development and Mines and Aboriginal Affairs, northern and Aboriginal communities, resources industries and environmental groups. The ministry also supports the efforts of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs in working with Aboriginal peoples and First Nation communities on strategic action and resource benefits sharing approaches.
In pursuing its eight corporate priorities, the ministry continues to be well-aligned to support the government’s key commitments, priorities and results. The ministry’s commitment to promoting economic growth for Ontario communities, reducing the regulatory burden and achieving organizational excellence for improved public service helps achieve a more prosperous Ontario. In enhancing a healthy natural environment for Ontarians, contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, protecting people, property and communities from natural and human-made hazards, and working with the Ministry of the Environment to improve the health of Lake Simcoe, the ministry is helping build a greener Ontario. By working to protect key ecological features of the Far North while enabling environmentally sustainable economic development that respects First Nation rights, as well as supporting the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs in the development of strategic action and resource benefits sharing approaches, the ministry supports efforts to develop a stronger and more positive relationship with First Nations.
Diagram 1: Ministry Contribution to Government Priorities and Key Results
Diagram 1: Ministry Contribution to Government Priorities and Key Results (PDF, 26 KB)
Ministry Programs
Forest Management
The ministry will continue to lead implementation of the Ontario Forest Sector Strategy, which was announced in 2005, to ensure a healthy, viable forest industry in Ontario. This includes financial capital assistance initiatives, the Northern Pulp and Paper Electricity Transition program which has been extended to 2010-11, road construction and maintenance program, an enhanced Forest Resources Inventory program, and the Ontario Wood Promotion Program to promote and enhance the value-added manufacturing business within the industry.
The ministry will promote a new forest economy to help the sector develop and use green technologies, contribute to the mitigation of climate change, and improve environmental sustainability. It will move ahead with its initiative to make under-utilized wood available to support new investment and green jobs in Ontario’s bio-economy and value-added manufacturing sectors. It will also ensure Ontario is a North American leader in managing carbon through forest management practices.
The ministry will review options to improve the design of Ontario’s Crown forest tenure and pricing system to promote sustainable communities in northern and rural Ontario, to better align wood supply to the requirements of the emerging green economy and help the forest industry be more competitive.
Fish and Wildlife Management
The ministry will continue implementation of Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy. Developed by a broad spectrum of contributors, the strategy is an overarching plan to protect Ontario’s rich natural heritage of plants, animals and ecosystems and use our natural resources sustainably. Through the involvement of people from across Ontario, the strategy will help ensure clean air and water, abundant wildlife and places for recreation. The interim State of Biodiversity Report was released in 2008.
The ministry will support the Ontario Biodiversity Council in the development of the 2010 State of Biodiversity Report, which will help fulfil Ontario’s commitments to report under Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy, the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. This report will contribute to Ontario’s activities in 2010 – the International Year of Biodiversity.
Government actions contributing to Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy include: the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, Ontario’s new Endangered Species Act, and implementation of the Greenbelt Protection Act.
The ministry is implementing the recommendations of the Auditor General’s Report on the Fish and Wildlife Program. It will continue its broad review of the provincial moose management system, including ways to improve the resident tag draw system, the development of a cervid ecological framework, and will establish revised population and harvest guidelines. Implementation of the Human-Deer/Human-Wildlife conflict strategies and Atlantic salmon restoration program will continue. The ministry will move ahead with the new wild turkey management plan that puts in place new wild turkey spring and fall hunt opportunities.
The ministry continues to implement the Endangered Species Act. A caribou conservation plan and caribou habitat protection regulation will be implemented, and polar bear research will continue. Funding of $5 million will be available in the third year of the $18-million four-year Species at Risk Stewardship Fund to encourage and support stewardship activities that protect species at risk and their habitats, and $800,000 is proposed for year two of a pilot Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program to support specific farm management practices that contribute to the protection and recovery of species at risk.
Invasive species pose a significant threat to Ontario’s biodiversity and affect our natural environment, society and economy. The government is pursuing a number of projects and partnerships to control invasive species on the land and in our waters.
The ministry is leading the development of an Ontario Invasive Species Action Plan to guide implementation of An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada in Ontario. In addition, the ministry:
- works with the federal government and other partners to manage pests and invasive plants that threaten our forests;
- supports Transport Canada’s Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations which require ocean-going vessels to flush their tanks with salt water before entering the Great Lakes to eradicate any foreign organisms that could infect Ontario’s water bodies; and
- has a long-term partnership with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters that has delivered extensive programs to raise awareness of invasive species and how to prevent their spread.
The ministry will work with the Ministry of the Environment and other ministries to implement Go Green, Ontario’s Action Plan on Climate Change, a strategy that will help address, mitigate the effects of, and assist Ontarians to adapt to, climate change.
Under the new Ecological Framework for Recreational Fisheries Management in Ontario, Fisheries Management Zone advisory councils have been set up in seven zones with five more councils planned to be set up in 2009-2010. A broad-scale fisheries monitoring program will be continued.
The ministry will work with the City of Sault Ste. Marie and the federal government to establish an Invasive Species Management Centre in the city to address operational and policy challenges for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
The ministry will continue to be vigilant in controlling rabies and other fish- and wildlife-borne diseases. Raccoon strain rabies, while eliminated from the province, remains in New York State. As a result, research, monitoring and control measures will continue in 2009, including the distribution of rabies vaccine baits in some border areas. In addition, work will continue to control fox strain rabies and to expand the use of a new rabies vaccine. Aquatic pathogens such as viral hemorrhagic septicaemia and koi herpes virus will be monitored, and management actions will be taken to slow the spread of these diseases.
The ministry will continue to work toward making fish and wildlife licences available through Point of Sale terminals in order to improve customer service, assist licence issuers and reduce administrative costs.
The ministry will continue to manage Ontario’s commercial and recreational fisheries to ensure they provide sustainable ecological and economic benefits. Fish culture stations will provide eight million fish for stocking purposes.
In cooperation with other provincial ministries and the federal government, the ministry is leading the development of “Coordinated Application, Review and Decision Guidelines for Cage Aquaculture Sites in Ontario.”
Lands and Waters Management
The ministry will work with the Ministry of the Environment to implement the Safeguarding and Sustaining Ontario’s Water Act, which puts into practice the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement, signed by Ontario, Quebec and the eight Great Lakes U.S. states in December 2005.
The ministry will support work under the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem to restore and protect the Great Lakes. The ministry is also providing support for a review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. In addition, it is supporting the Ministry of the Environment in working to protect drinking water from source to tap.
The ministry will work with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to implement the Green Energy Act. This includes supporting the government’s renewable energy commitments through Crown land disposition and development for wind, waterpower, geothermal and other opportunities.
The ministry will complete the State of Aggregates Report for Ontario, which will inform a broader provincial aggregate strategy.
The ministry will work on the remediation of the Mid-Canada Line radar sites under a cost-sharing agreement with the federal government. Work will also continue to decommission abandoned oil and gas wells in the province to ensure protection of the environment and local residents.
Ontario Parks
The ministry will continue implementation of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act and regulations to enhance protection and ecological integrity of Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves.
The new protected areas planning manual will be finalized and released to the public. Improvements will continue to be made to drinking water systems at Ontario Parks to comply with new regulations put in place by the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.
The ministry is finalizing a number of park management plans. The Spanish River Signature Site Park Management Plan will be finalized. The management plan review for Ruby Lake Provincial Park has also begun and is scheduled to be finalized. The Quetico Provincial Park Management Plan is expected to be completed in 2010.
Parks visits have stayed relatively constant at about 10 million visits per year since 2003-04. Park visitation was down in 2008-09 from 2007-08 due to wet weather throughout the season. There was a significant decrease in day use of about 600,000 visits over last year, but a drop in reservations of only about 12,000.
Aviation and Forest Fire Management
The ministry will maintain the protection of people, property and communities from forest fires, floods and other natural-resource emergencies. Construction of the Hearst Forest Fire Attack Base will be completed, and work will begin on replacing the Sioux Lookout Fire Management Headquarters. The mobile incident command trailer units will be replaced, and work will continue to modernize the ministry’s air fleet. The ministry will also continue to implement the comprehensive level of emergency preparedness required under the Emergency Management Act.
Ministry Wildfire Containment and Suppression has been above 95 per cent since 2003-04. Wildfire Containment and Suppression shows the percentage of fires that were either in a condition of "being held" by 12:00 local time the day after they were reported to the ministry or were four hectares or less in size.
Geographic Information
The ministry will continue to provide leadership and program delivery in the development and application of geographic information for natural resource management and decision-making, such as the protection of the boreal forest in Ontario’s Far North and the government’s climate change plan. The ministry will also contribute to the government’s Information and Information Technology initiative by making land information available through a suitable infrastructure.
Field Services Support
The ministry is working to implement the government’s climate change plan. This includes making Ontario greener by working with partners to plant 50 million new trees by 2020.
The ministry will develop and implement a long-term plan that protects the boreal region in Ontario’s Far North working closely with the ministries of Northern Development and Mines and Aboriginal Affairs, northern and Aboriginal communities, resources industries and environmental groups. This will include the introduction of legislation and the protection of at least 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North boreal region.
The ministry will continue to expand partnerships to conserve natural spaces, and make it easier for southern Ontario landowners to voluntarily protect and restore natural areas on private property.
Stewardship will continue to be promoted across the south, and the ministry will work to expand stewardship to Northern Ontario. Through resource stewardship, the ministry safeguards the public interest in Ontario’s resources and acts as the steward of our natural legacy.
The ministry will continue to integrate the front counter service provided in its various offices with ServiceOntario.
The ministry continues to deliver professional law enforcement to protect Ontario’s natural resources for present and future generations. The rate of compliance with resource laws and regulations has remained relatively constant at over 92 per cent since 2003-04.
Land and Resources Information and Information Technology (I&IT) Cluster
The Land and Resources I&IT Cluster supports five client ministries in achieving their priorities: Natural Resources; Aboriginal Affairs; Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Environment; and Northern Development and Mines.
The cluster:
- develops and provides ongoing technology solutions and support for MNR’s eight corporate priorities including: Far North, the Endangered Species Act, Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy, Climate Change plan, Renewable energy, Natural Heritage, work with Aboriginal peoples and organizational excellence
- plays a key role in supporting Open for Business, Ontario’s three year plan to create faster, smarter and streamlined government-to-business services
- contributes to making the government workplace more environmentally-friendly through the Green I&IT Strategy
The cluster is also implementing the Beyond e-Ontario strategy, the government’s strategic plan that provides the framework for information and information technology investments and management across the OPS.
Ministry Administration
The ministry’s administration program provides strategic management leadership and advice, strategic policy development and planning, legal counsel, communications and administrative services in support of the ministry’s business areas. The administration program supports the ministry so that it can deliver on results, priorities and core programs within its resource allocations, including financial and staff resources; provides leadership in organizational performance and organizational excellence, such as in Leadership Renewal, Diversity, Green and Safe Workplace, Wellness, Employee Engagement and improved accountability; supports the enterprise Human Resources transformation; leads strategic policy and planning, including support for natural heritage protection in southern Ontario and promotion of natural resource valuation; and leads corporate coordination of Open for Business.
Table 1: Performance Measures and Achievements by Program
| Performance Measures | 2006-07 Achievement |
2007-08 Achievement |
2008-09 Target* |
2009-10 Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Management | ||||
| Percentage of Independent Forest Audits recommending Sustainable Forest Licence extension (without conditions) | 80% | 93% | 85% | 85% |
| New annual forest products sector capital investment stimulated through the Ontario Forest Products Sector Loan Guarantee Program and the Forest Sector Prosperity Fund | $548 million | $376 million | $294 million (actual) | $200 million |
| Value-added Ontario forest products jobs per 1,000 cubic metres of provincial timber sales*** | 2.2 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 |
| Ontario Parks | ||||
| Number of parks visits (measure to be discontinued after 2008-09; to be reported as statistic only) | 10.1 million | 10.4 million | 9.5 million (actual, rounded) | n/a |
| Percentage of Ontario Parks customers satisfied with facilities and services provided (measure to be discontinued after 2008-09; to be reported as statistic only) | 79% | 79% | 79% (actual) | n/a |
| Fish and Wildlife Management | ||||
| Percentage of eligible municipalities participating in Bear Wise programs** | 31% | 40% | 65% | n/a |
| Percentage of game wildlife, migratory game birds, commercial and sport fish with a conservation status of secure** | 82% | 82% | 90% | n/a |
| Number of volunteers in, and the total number of volunteer hours contributed to, the Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program (CFWIP) and the Ontario Stewardship Program** | 38,086 volunteers 295,447 hours |
38,170 volunteers 271,189 hours |
49,000 volunteers 342,000 hours |
n/a |
| Geographic Information | ||||
| User satisfaction with accessibility and quality of information services** | Survey not undertaken | Survey not undertaken | 83% | n/a |
| Lands and Waters Management | ||||
| Percentage completion of water budgets in the nineteen proposed source water protection watershed regions** | 60% | 68% | 85% | n/a |
| New provincial renewable energy capacity MNR has approved for installation on Crown land as a percentage of the total provincial 2010 renewable energy target | 9.9% | 10.0% | 26% | 24% |
| Field Services Support | ||||
| Rate of compliance with resource laws and regulations | 93.8% | 93.9% | 93.5% (actual, as of Mar. 9, 2009) | 93.0% |
| Acres of Green Space protected**: | ||||
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| Number of acres and total percentage of Ontario's land and water area formally identified for a level of protection equivalent to regulation (new for 2009-10) | n/a | n/a | 5,667,687 acres or 2.1% (baseline) | 5,668,687 acres or 2.1% |
| Aviation and Forest Fire Management | ||||
| Wildfire containment and suppression | 95.1% | 96.0% | 96.8% (actual) | 96.0% |
| Ministry Administration | ||||
| Percentage of internal business support costs to ministry program delivery costs** | 4.7% | 4.3% | 5.0% | n/a |
* With a few exceptions (marked as “actual”), 2008-09 achievement data were not available at time of printing.
** This measure will be discontinued after 2008-09 (n/a = not applicable). New measures are currently being developed. An example of a new measure currently under development is a measure for the implementation of the Endangered Species Act, 2007.
*** Targets and actuals for Value-added Ontario forest products jobs per 1,000 cubic metres of provincial timber sales are based on one-year-old data obtained from Statistics Canada.
Ministry Organization Chart
Ministry Organization Chart (PDF, 18 KB)
Legislation
Aggregate Resources Act
- Regulates the operation of pits and quarries in designated parts of Ontario and the disposition of Crown owned aggregate.
Algonquin Forest Authority Act
- Establishes a Crown corporation known as the Algonquin Forestry Authority to harvest Crown timber in Algonquin Provincial Park and public lands adjacent to the park, to sell the logs and also to carry out other such activities as authorized by the Minister of Natural Resources.
Algonquin Provincial Park Extension Act, 1960-61
- Adds the public lands in the Geographic Townships of Bruton and Clyde in the Provincial County of Haliburton to the park; hunting is still permitted in the added lands.
An Act for the Settlement of Certain Questions between Governments of Canada and Ontario Respecting Indian Reserve Lands, 1891
- Permitted the Ontario government to enter into an agreement with the government of Canada to settle certain questions relating to the provision of Indian reserve land in the area that was the subject of the Northwest Angle Treaty (Treaty No. 3).
An Act to Confirm the Title of the Government of Canada to Certain Lands and Indians Lands, 1915
- Act by which the Ontario government transferred to the government of Canada certain lands to be set apart as Indian reserve lands in the area that was the subject of the Northwest Angle Treaty (Treaty No. 3).
Arboreal Emblem Act
- Adopts the Eastern White Pine as the arboreal emblem of Ontario.
Avian Emblem Act, 1994
- Adopts the common loon as the avian emblem of Ontario.
Beds of Navigable Waters Act
- Legislation relating to title in the beds of navigable waters.
Conservation Authorities Act
- Provides for the establishment of conservation authorities for the purpose of establishing and undertaking programs designed to further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in their area of jurisdiction.
Conservation Land Act
- Provides for the establishment of grant programs to promote the recognition, encouragement and support of the stewardship or conservation of certain lands, and for the making of easements for conservation.
Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994
- Provides for the sustainability of Crown forests and the management of Crown forests to meet the social, economic and environmental needs of present and future generations of Ontario.
Endangered Species Act, 2007
- This act came into effect on June 30, 2008. Provides for protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitats through science-based listing, automatic protection of species and their habitat, mandatory requirements for recovery strategies and management plans and government accountability through reporting requirements.
Endangered Species Act, 1981
- Repealed by the Endangered Species Act, 2007. Provided for the conservation, protection, restoration and propagation of species of flora and fauna of Ontario that are threatened with extinction.
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997
- Provides for the conservation and management of wildlife and fish resources, including the protection of game wildlife and specially protected wildlife as defined in the act.
Fish Inspection Act
- Authorizes inspection of fish storage and processing establishments. Regulations under the act provide standards for quality and labelling of canned and frozen fish, as well as operating and equipment requirements for establishments.
Fisheries Act (Canada) – Ontario Fishery Regulations
- The Ontario Fishery Regulations made under this act relate to open seasons for angling and commercial fishing and the licences required.
Fisheries Development Act (Canada)
- Allows the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to undertake projects to enhance fishery resources in order to develop the commercial fisheries of Canada.
Fisheries Loans Act
- Provides for loans to persons carrying on the business of commercial fishing or any other business dependent on fishing in waters where fishing has been prohibited due to contaminated fish caused by polluted waters.
Forest Fires Prevention Act
- Prohibits activities that cause or promote forest fires, and allows the ministry to put in place restrictions, such as restricted fire zones and restricted travel zones during fire emergencies, to help prevent forest fires.
Forestry Act
- Under this act, the minister enters into agreements with landowners, such as municipalities and conservation authorities, to manage forest lands. The minister may also establish programs for the encouragement of forestry.
Forestry Workers Lien for Wages Act
- Provides a lien and an enforcement procedure for forestry workers to ensure payment of wages.
Freshwater Fish Marketing Act (Ontario)
- Complements the Freshwater Fish Marketing Act (Canada). Through these acts and the federal-provincial agreement, the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, established under the federal act, is the sole purchaser of commercial fish in a defined area in Northwestern Ontario.
Gananoque Lands Act, 1961-62
- Vests in the Crown certain lands in the Town of Gananoque and authorizes the sale of encroachments to adjoining owners and the granting of the balance of the land.
Gas and Oil Leases Act
- Sets out the procedure for declaring a gas or oil lease void.
Heritage Hunting and Fishing Act, 2002
- Recognizes the right to hunt and fish recreationally in accordance with Ontario laws and created the Fish and Wildlife Heritage Commission to provide advice to the Minister of Natural Resources on fish and wildlife related initiatives.
Indian Lands Act, 1924
- Passed by the Legislature of Ontario and the Parliament of Canada to deal with certain questions relating to the administration and control of Indian reserve land, surrendered Indian reserve land in Ontario and mineral rights on reserve.
Indian Lands Agreement Confirmation Act, 1989
- Confirms the 1986 Indian Lands Agreement between the governments of Canada and Ontario which authorizes the parties and any Indian band to enter into specific agreements relating to such matters as those dealt with under the Indian Lands Act, 1924, disposition of lands or natural resources, minerals and hydro powers.
Industrial and Mining Lands Compensation Act
- Provides for agreements between the owner or operator of a mine and the owner or lessee of any land for payment of compensation for any damage or injury resulting, or likely to result, to the land or to its use and enjoyment from the operation of the mine.
Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act, 2003
- Provides for the protection of the ecological integrity of the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park and ensures that the policies governing the park will protect its natural and cultural values, maintain its traditional uses and provide the opportunity for recreational activities that are compatible with the natural heritage values and semi-wilderness character of the park.
Lac Seul Conservation Act, 1928
- Provides for the execution of an agreement between Ontario, Canada and Manitoba to construct a dam at the outlet of Lac Seul.
Lake of the Woods Control Board Act, 1922
- Complementary to a Federal Act of 1921. Deals with the regulation of the water levels of the Winnipeg River, the English River, Lac Seul and Lake St. Joseph.
Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act
- Provides for the use of the water of lakes and rivers and regulates improvements in them and gives the minister discretionary powers relating to the repair, reconstruction and removal of dams, maintenance of water levels, and regulation of use of waters or works.
Manitoba-Ontario Lake St. Joseph Diversion Agreement Authorization Act, 1958
- Provides for agreement between Ontario and the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario with Manitoba and the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board on the diversion of water into the Winnipeg River and electrical power generated from such waters in Ontario and Manitoba.
Migratory Birds Convention Act (Canada) – Ontario Regulations
- Open seasons for migratory birds are set under this act.
Mineral Emblem Act
- Adopts the amethyst as the mineral emblem of the Province of Ontario.
Mining Act (s. 99, 100, 101, 102, 154)
- Part IV of the act deals with exploration licences for oil and gas, leases for production of oil and gas and storage leases for the temporary storage of hydrocarbons in underground formations. The Minister of Natural Resources administers sections 99 to 102 (oil and natural gas) and section 154 (brine wells).
Ministry of Natural Resources Act
- Created the Ministry of Natural Resources by amalgamating the former Department of Lands and Forests and Department of Mines and Northern Affairs. (A separate Ministry of Northern Development and Mines was established in 1985.) The act provides for the appointment of a Mining and Lands Commissioner and advisory committees.
Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act
- Establishes the Niagara Escarpment Plan and Commission and provides for the maintenance of the Niagara Escarpment and land in its vicinity substantially as a continuous natural environment where only compatible development occurs.
North Georgian Bay Recreational Reserve Act, 1962-63
- Establishes the North Georgian Bay Recreational Reserve, provides for the planning and development of the reserve and the appointment of a committee to advise the Minister.
Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act, 1997
- Sets out requirements for various aspects of oil and natural gas exploration, drilling and production and provides for the making of regulations respecting oil and gas conservation and the safe operation of drilling and production facilities.
Ontario Geographic Names Board Act
- Provides for the establishment of a Geographic Names Board for Ontario having the duty to gather information respecting the names of places and geographical features, make recommendations, collaborate with the Geographical Names Board of Canada, and provide information to government departments.
Ontario Harbours Agreement Act, 1962-63
- Confirms on behalf of Ontario the agreement between Ontario and Canada establishing the harbours which were public harbours at Confederation, providing that mines and minerals therein are administered by Ontario and confirming grants and quit claims listed therein.
Ottawa River Water Powers Act, 1943
- Ratifies and confirms an agreement between Ontario and the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario with Quebec and the Quebec Streams Commission respecting the development of water power on the Ottawa River.
Professional Foresters Act, 2000
- Regulates the practice of professional forestry in Ontario.
Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006
- Provides for the establishment of provincial parks and conservation reserves and their management. Parks may be classified as a natural environment park, a nature reserve park, a wilderness park, a recreational park, a waterways park or a historical park.
Public Lands Act
- Provides for the disposition and management of Crown land, the administration of roads on Crown land, the administration and control of the construction and maintenance of dams, and the granting of water powers and privileges.
Seine River Diversion Act, 1952
- Confirms the partial diversion of the Seine River and authorizes the completion and operation of the diversion by Steep Rock Iron Mines Limited.
Steep Rock Iron Ore Development Act, 1949
- Authorizes a water power lease and various agreements between Ontario, the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario, the Ontario-Minnesota Pulp and Paper Company and Steep Rock Iron Mines Limited respecting supply of power, maintenance and operation of certain dams and of the Seine diversion, and dam construction.
Surveyors Act
- Establishes the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors, regulates the practice of professional land surveying, and prescribes the rules governing membership and conduct.
Surveys Act
- Prescribes the methods and monuments to be used in performing surveys of land.
Wild Rice Harvesting Act
- Governs the harvesting of rice on Crown land.
Wilderness Areas Act
- Provides for the preservation of areas having some unique features.
Agencies, Boards and Commissions
The Agencies, Boards and Commissions that report to or have appointments made by the Ministry of Natural Resources are listed below with a brief summary. A classified agency, though established by the government, is not considered part of the ministry. However, the government appoints the majority of its members, assigns responsibility to perform a public function and holds the agency to account.
Algonquin Forestry Authority (Classified Agency)
The Algonquin Forestry Authority is responsible for forest management, including timber harvesting, in Algonquin Park. The Authority sorts, sells and delivers harvested logs to regional mills. It also may advise on, undertake and carry out forestry, land-management and other programs and projects as the Minister may authorize.
Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (Classified Agency)
The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario is responsible for assessing and classifying species that may be at risk in Ontario.
Council of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors
The Council of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors regulates the practice of professional land surveying and governs the profession in accordance with the Surveyors Act, its regulations and bylaws.
Council of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association
The Ontario Professional Foresters Association regulates the practice of professional forestry, and all foresters must be members in order to practise in the province. The governing council manages, administers and oversees the functioning of the association.
Crown Timber Board of Examiners (Classified Agency)
The Crown Timber Board of Examiners sets written and practical examinations in wood measurement and recommends to the minister candidates who are qualified to receive a scaler’s licence.
Fish and Wildlife Heritage Commission (Classified Agency)
Established under the Heritage Hunting and Fishing Act, the Fish and Wildlife Heritage Commission makes recommendations to the minister on ways to encourage people to value our fish and wildlife resources, promote more participation in conservation and other programs, and to search out new fish- and wildlife-related opportunities.
Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation
Established under the federal Freshwater Fish Marketing Act, the Corporation is the buyer, processor and marketer of freshwater fish from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories, and part of Northwestern Ontario (the area north and west of Thunder Bay). It markets and trades in fish, fish products and fish by-products for export abroad and among the provinces.
Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Management Advisory Board (Classified Agency)
The Board was established under the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act and provides advice to the minister on the planning and management of the park.
Lake of the Woods Control Board
The Lake of the Woods Control Board regulates the water levels in the Lake of the Woods, Lac Seul and in the Winnipeg and English Rivers between the lake outlets and their confluence.
Niagara Escarpment Commission (Classified Agency)
The Niagara Escarpment Commission administers the provincial Niagara Escarpment Plan through promoting the objectives of the plan; processing and making decisions on development permit applications and making recommendations on plan amendments.
Ontario Geographic Names Board (Classified Agency)
The Ontario Geographic Names Board manages and defines the treatment of 220,000 official geographic names of places and geographical features in Ontario.
Ontario Moose-Bear Allocation Advisory Committee (Classified Agency)
The Ontario Moose-Bear Allocation Advisory Committee advises the minister on the allocation of moose among tourist outfitters and on the issues arising from the allocation of black bear management areas of tourist operators.
Ontario Parks Board of Directors (Classified Agency)
The Directors of the Ontario Parks Board provide advice on planning, management and development of the provincial park system.
Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board
The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board is a partnership among Canada, Quebec and Ontario to formulate and review policies that will lead to integrated management of the reservoirs in the Ottawa River basin.
Rabies Advisory Committee (Classified Agency)
The Rabies Advisory Committee advises on the scientific steps necessary for developing a successful rabies research and response program, which includes developing suitable vaccines and systems for vaccinating wild animal populations.
Species at Risk Program Advisory Committee (Classified Agency)
The Species at Risk Program Advisory Committee provides advice on matters related to implementation of the species at risk program, other than matters addressed by the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario.
Table 2: Expenditure and Revenue Data for Agencies, Boards, Commissions
| 2009-10 Estimates |
2008-2009 Interim Actuals |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Expenditure $ | Revenue $ | Expenditure $ | Revenue $ |
| Algonquin Forestry Authority | 19,786,000 | 19,224,000 | 22,379,000 | 21,449,000 |
| Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario | 50,000 | 0 | 5,864 | 0 |
| Council of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors | 25,000 | 0 | 15,975 | 0 |
| Council of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association | 5,000 | 0 | 15,000 | 0 |
| Crown Timber Board of Examiners | 8,000 | 750 | 0* | 0 |
| Fish and Wildlife Heritage Commission | 55,000 | 0 | 47,794 | 0 |
| Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation | 2,800 | 6,800 | 2,800 | 6,800 |
| Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Management Advisory Board | 12,000 | 0 | 18,700 | 0 |
| Lake of the Woods Control Board | 3,500 | 5,000,000 | 6,500 | 5,000,000 |
| Niagara Escarpment Commission | 2,388,100 | 0 | 2,436,792 | 475 |
| Ontario Geographic Names Board | 10,000 | 0 | 6,381 | 0 |
| Ontario Moose-Bear Allocation Advisory Committee | 30,000 | 0 | 20,000 | 0 |
| Ontario Parks Board of Directors | 20,000 | 0 | 10,000 | 0 |
| Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board | 43,000 | 15,000,000 | 36,929 | 18,474,717 |
| Rabies Advisory Board | 6,000 | 0 | 4,500 | 0 |
| Species at Risk Program Advisory Committee | 10,000 | 0 | 2,350 | 0 |
* Due to a lack of candidates, the scaling course was cancelled.
Note: Expenditure and revenue reported in this table are also reported as part of the ministry’s overall expenditure and revenue.
MINISTRY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following graph depicts the Ministry’s planned 2009-10 expenditures by Program.
Table 3: Ministry Planned Operating Expenditures by Program 2009-10
| Program Name | Ministry Planned Expenditures ($M) |
|---|---|
| Forest Management | $241.3 |
| Aviation and Forest Fire Management | $102.2 |
| Lands and Waters Management | $72.4 |
| Ontario Parks (incl. $58.9M Special Purpose Account SPA funding) | $73.6 |
| Fish and Wildlife Management (incl. $65.5M SPA funding) | $92.9 |
| Field Services Support | $73.6 |
| Geographic Information | $30.2 |
| Ministry Administration | $33.5 |
| Land and Resources Cluster (expends and recovers $60.6 million for a net nil balance) | $0.0 |
| Total Planned Expenditures by Program | $719.7* |
Table 4: Ministry Planned Total Expenditures 2009-10
| Ministry Planned Expenditures ($M) |
|
|---|---|
| Operating | $719.7 |
| Capital | $68.5 |
| TOTAL | $788.2* |
* Total Planned Expenditures by Program amounts are rounded to the nearest million and 1 decimal point.
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Table 5: Operating and Capital Summary by Vote
The Ministry envisions a healthy environment that is naturally diverse and supports a high quality of life for the people of Ontario through sustainable development.
The Ministry’s mission is to manage our natural resources in an ecologically sustainable way to ensure that they are available for the enjoyment and use of future generations.
Ecological sustainability focuses on safeguarding the province’s natural capital and nature’s capacity to renew itself. It is directed towards resource management practices that protect and maintain nature’s capacity to renew itself and generate sufficient natural “interest” to meet Ontarians’ present and future needs.
| Votes / Programs |
Estimates 2009-10 $ |
Change from Estimates 2008-09 $ |
Change % |
Estimates 2008-09 $ |
Interim Actuals 2008-09 $ |
Actuals 2007-08 $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPERATING AND CAPITAL | ||||||
| Ministry Administration | 33,475,400 | (2,783,600) | (7.7) | 36,259,000 | 35,214,200 | 31,102,194 |
| Geographic Information | 30,172,300 | (6,227,500) | (17.1) | 36,399,800 | 34,976,200 | 30,998,531 |
| Natural Resource Management | 489,047,200 | 10,122,900 | 2.1 | 478,924,300 | 465,172,900 | 461,074,463 |
| Public Safety and Emergency Response | 102,234,000 | (947,200) | (0.9) | 103,181,200 | 99,181,200 | 134,989,321 |
| Land and Resources Information & Information Technology Cluster | 1,000 | 0 | 0.0 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Total Including Special Warrants | 654,929,900 | 164,600 | 0.0 | 654,765,300 | 634,545,500 | 658,165,509 |
| Less: Special Warrants | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | - | 0 |
| Total to be voted | 654,929,900 | 164,600 | 0.0 | 654,765,300 | 634,545,500 | 658,165,509 |
| Add: Special Warrants | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | - | 0 |
| Add: Statutory Appropriations | 8,829,314 | 1,201,800 | 15.8 | 7,627,514 | 28,303,000 | 14,153,342 |
| Ministry Total (before Consolidation) | 663,759,214 | 1,366,400 | 0.2 | 662,392,814 | 662,848,500 | 672,318,851 |
| Net Consolidation | 124,420,000 | 6,355,000 | 5.4 | 118,065,000 | 125,765,000 | 122,054,691 |
| Ministry Total Expense (including Consolidation) | 788,179,214 | 7,721,400 | 1.0 | 780,457,814 | 788,613,500 | 794,373,542 |
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Natural Resource Management | 24,566,900 | 8,283,400 | 50.9 | 16,283,500 | 16,283,500 | 31,776,146 |
| Public Safety and Emergency Response | 10,069,000 | 9,969,000 | 9,969.0 | 100,000 | 100,000 | 64,824 |
| Land and Resources Information and Information Technology Cluster | 360,000 | 160,000 | 80.0 | 200,000 | 200,000 | 172,083 |
| Less: Special Warrants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 |
| Total Assets to be Voted | 34,995,900 | 18,412,400 | 111.0 | 16,583,500 | 16,583,500 | 32,013,053 |
APPENDIX
2008-09 Annual Report
In 2008-2009, the ministry continued to implement its forest sector competitiveness strategy. Under the strategy, the government has committed more than $1 billion over five years through various programs. The Forest Sector Prosperity Fund and Loan Guarantee program have leveraged $459 million in new private sector investments. Almost $480 million in support has been provided to the industry through a range of programs.
The ministry made under-utilized wood available through a request for expressions of interest process that would support new investment and green jobs in Ontario’s bio-economy and value-added manufacturing sectors.
The ministry continued to work with Trees Ontario to plant 50 million trees in southern Ontario by 2020. Trees Ontario planted 1.3 million trees in 2008-2009. The ministry is also partnering with Evergreen to plant 100,000 trees in cities across the province by the end of 2009. Last year 56,000 trees were planted as part of this urban greening initiative.
The ministry continued to support the government’s renewable energy commitments by making Crown land available for windpower and waterpower development. The ministry supported the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s proposed Green Energy and Green Economy Act, which was introduced to the Legislature in February 2009, and has both proposed amendments to five acts to align them with this act and developed a draft Complete Submission Policy for implementing the Green Energy and Green Economy Act.
On June 30, 2008, Ontario’s new Endangered Species Act came into effect, making the province a North American leader in species at risk protection and recovery. The act increased the number of species receiving protection from 42 to 130.
Under the new Endangered Species Act, the Species at Risk Program Advisory Committee was appointed as an independent body to implement the act and provide expertise and advice related to the protection and recovery of species at risk. The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario is also now legally recognized under the act. Classification decisions made by the committee are automatically reflected on the Species at Risk in Ontario list.
In 2008-2009, $5 million in funding was distributed to 115 projects through grants with numerous organizations as part of the province’s $18-million, four-year Species at Risk Stewardship Fund. Projects helped to protect and recover species at risk and their habitats. In addition, $950,000 in funding was distributed through the pilot Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program to over 900 on-farm projects addressing best management practices on privately owned agriculture lands that support the protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitats.
The interim State of Ontario’s Biodiversity Report was released in 2008.
To further protect the province’s biodiversity and species at risk, the ministry added a new provincial park and two new conservation reserves to Ontario’s system of parks and protected areas. The ministry also signed a memorandum of understanding to establish and manage a 9,400 square kilometre protected Interprovincial Wilderness Area in the boreal forest along the Ontario-Manitoba border.
Following extensive consultation, a management plan for the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park was approved that outlines permitted uses in the park. Changes were also made to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act hunting regulations in the park.
The Premier announced in July 2008 that Ontario will protect at least 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North Boreal region under the Far North Planning initiative. The Ministry of Natural Resources is working with Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Far North First Nations, with advice from the newly formed Far North Advisory Council and the Far North Science Advisory Panel, to protect the Boreal region.
The ministry eliminated raccoon rabies in Ontario through a combination of rabies vaccine baits, Trap-Vaccinate-Release and Point of Infection Control programs. The ministry will continue monitoring for raccoon rabies to ensure early warning of possible new outbreaks and to control other fish and wildlife diseases. In the summer of 2008, the ministry distributed 1.2 million baits containing a vaccine to control rabies in skunks and foxes.
The ministry began a broad review of Ontario’s moose management program, and invited public comment as part of the first phase of the review. Phase two, which involves public engagement sessions, has also begun.
The ministry strengthened its enforcement capacity, further protecting the province’s natural resources. Five enforcement officers were added to increase ground, air and boat patrols, and three canine services teams were added to assist field conservation officers to inspect, enforce, educate and collaborate with other agencies.
Under the province’s five-year ReNew Ontario project, the fire staff quarters in Pickle Lake have been modernized and upgraded to strengthen fire management in the northwest and help improve response times.
The province invested over $6 million to protect ecologically significant lands through the Land Securement Program. The ministry partnered with conservation groups to identify and secure over 3,800 hectares of natural heritage areas on private lands.
The ministry continued to implement the new ecological framework for recreational fisheries management in Ontario, which includes new zones, managing on a broader landscape scale, enhanced stewardship and regular monitoring and reporting. Fisheries Management Zone advisory councils have been set up in seven zones.
Under the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program, the one millionth salmon was stocked as part of the effort to bring back wild populations of Atlantic salmon to Lake Ontario. The Ministry of Natural Resources, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Ontario Power Generation supported an action plan to bring back American eels in the upper St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. The ministry also took action to protect lake sturgeon by restricting the catch of recreational anglers.
Dorion Fish Culture Station was re-opened after being modernized and expanded through a $17-million, three-year expansion project. It plays an important role in the Ontario government’s efforts to sustain native fish species in the Great Lakes and the northwest region of the province.
The ministry provided 2,100 jobs in natural resource management to young people across the province through five youth employment programs.
Table 1: Ministry Expenditures
| Ministry Interim Actual Expenditures ($M) 2008-09 | |
|---|---|
| Operating | $726.8 |
| Capital | $61.8 |
| Staff Strength (as of March 31, 2009) | 3709 |
WHO TO CALL
Questions or comments about the ministry’s Results-based Plan are welcomed. Please contact:
Office of the Minister of Natural Resources
Whitney Block, Room 6630
99 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1W3
(416) 314-2301
or
Communications Services Branch
Ministry of Natural Resources
Whitney Block, Room 5440
99 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1W3
(416) 314-2114
Further information about the ministry and its programs can be found on the ministry’s website at ontario.ca/mnr (www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en).
Results-based Plan 2009-10
Ministry of Natural Resources
ISSN # 1718-6897
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